Shining Light Ministries

Shining Light Ministries mission is to ?share the message of Jesus and develop young Christian leaders.? They seek creative and effective ways to do this and have found a unique opportunity using the performing arts that accomplishes this mission.

Each fall they create and prepare a presentation of relevant dramas, high energy music and choreography that they then take to prisons, shelters, and rehab centers from late October through May followed by a 9-10 day tour in June.

Perhaps the most special part of the ministry is that they have found tremendous responses in challenging places to a simple presentation of how they have found Jesus relevant in daily life. Most in their audiences are not Jesus followers. Some are Muslim, atheists, etc. They have had wonderful, grateful responses to their presentations from these groups.

They see crowds of teenage boys in high security situations bowing their heads in prayer as one of the ministry's members invites them to pray with him. They see tears in the eyes of adult men serving long sentences. They hear thanks from Muslims for coming. They see God work in amazing ways. And it changes lives of people in the audiences and in the group.

The process of preparing this presentation includes rehearsals, Bible-based teaching, small groups, and fellowship time with the ministry's group of approximately 60 young people ages 15-23. They encourage ethnic, geographic, and socioeconomic diversity among the participants which provides growth opportunities as they work, serve, and travel together.

Going into the kinds of places where they minister stretches their young people. The group develops into a strong, supportive community where a Christian worldview is normal and members hold each other accountable for seeking to live as followers of Jesus in every part of their life.

To do this, the ministry relies on young leaders selected from their group. Chosen for their demonstrated potential, they serve as small group leaders, set-up team leaders, choreographers, etc. The ministry provides training for these roles from both the staff and a growing network of Christian community leaders.

They seek to expand their member?s vision of the world through a Christian worldview and challenge them to provide leadership in the rest of their lives and as they return to their churches. The ministry has many former members who are now serving in volunteer and full-time ministry positions in churches and ministries throughout the world.

In a typical season the members come from over 20 churches and parishes of many denominations and backgrounds. They rehearse in the Lebanon, Pennsylvania area and usually have participants from over 10 high schools and several colleges, along with numerous full-time working members. The organization shares facilities and staff with New Song Community Church, which also provides about 12% of their $145,000 annual budget.

Over 60% of their funding is from contributions by individuals, organizations, and businesses. Members also contribute to participate as they are able. The ministry has 3 full-time staff and 12 very involved volunteer staff. The ministry is registered as a 501(c)3 Pa non-profit corporation.

If you would like to see a Shining Light presentation, please visit the Public Presentations listing under Presentations at their website. If you are interested in participating in this growing, life-changing, experience, see Prospective Members under Members. If you are interested in having Shining Light visit your facility, please Contact them.

Contact Information:

Shining Light's offices and rehearsals are located at:
452 Ebenezer Road
Lebanon, PA 17046

(New Covenant Christian School)

Phone: 717-272-3355
Office hours are Tuesday through Friday 9-5.

Shining Light Ministries website is: shining-light.com